European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 21, 1964, Darmstadt, Hesse ?.& Vav the ballot off Trafalgar on oct. 21, 1805, As painted by Clarkson Stanfield. It Hangi in the Royal United service institution in London. By Wallace Beenes a Madrid Bureau a lonely Lighthouse on the southwestern up of Spain is the Only Marker to Point out where one of the greatest naval Battles in history took place Only a few Miles offshore. The Battle of Midway which turned the tide in the Pacific during world War ii and the spectacular sinking of the bismark in the Atlantic were both Jolly Good shows but the wooden ship Sand Iron men in the batik1 of Trafalgar have u secure place in history. Not Only was it a classical Bat Lewith 27 ships defeating m without a single loss but the resulting Victor was to Muke England Queen of the sea for the next 129 years. No Hollywood script writer could dream up u Mure dramatic Story hum the one that unfolded on oct. 21, 1809. Vice adm Pierre Villeneuve 42, com Mander of the combined French and Spanish Fleet was due to be replaced by adm rosily because Napoleon t was disgusted with his recent Napoleon Hud launched a Campaign a Gaius und desperately needed the support of his Fleet in the Mediterranean. Before rosily arrived Totake Over v ill Neuvo gave orders for the Fleet to sail from the Harbor Urcadiz. Wailing offshore was the British flee commanded by the vain and Headstrong officer destined to become one of eng land s greatest naval heroes. He was vice adm Horatio Nelson 47. Hero of the Nile and the Battle of Copenhagen who had already lost one Eye and Tonearm in combat. , october 21. 1964 Nelson was aboard his flagship the Victory a 40-year-old ship of 100 guns with sides three feet thick. The heavier guns could lob a 30-Pound Ball a mile and a half but the effective Range was much leu. Second in command was vice adm Cuthbert Collingwood whose actions were to contribute so much to the that immortalized Nelson. The French Spanish Fleet headed South for Gibraltar and the Mediterranean list a min sighting he Gruzin British Armada. Villen Etive have orders to turn Baek toward the safely of the Cadi Harl to. He had no desire to engage the English Fleet i Luul a Placebo Retreat. The Allied Fleet was extended in single file sailing northward As the Lori wish prepared to attack. Nelson s strategy Wax deceptively simple col Linnwood aboard the ships some 13 Miles of Trafalgar the men prepared for Bailie. Powder charges were placed by the guns and the decks were sprinkled with wet Sand. Furniture that would Bur easily was dismantled and stored below. Cries of i Ong live the emperor and i inc live the King sounded from the ships amid drum beats and Fife music. Nelson went to his Cabin said a prayer wrote a final entry in his diary and put on his Best uniform Complete with decorations. Earlier he had writ ten u codicil to his will asking the Kingto provide for his mistress lady Ham Ilton and their returning to deck. Nelson sent out his famous message England i peels that every Man will do his the British attacked shortly be Forenoon. Collingwood s Man Euver Cut off 13 Rel an i iia 14 is Pho lot by Bob Milnes was to slice off the 12 Allied ships Little end of the string with 15 British my. Thus having superiority. Nelso was to engage die Center of the line and let the Forward ships sail on outto the Battle area. To correctly assumed it would Lake the cumbersome ship some time to turn around and join the was. In effect the secret of the Battle that was to follow. The British ships had much Heller Crews und could Man Euver much faster. The French style was to shoot for the masts and attempt to cripple the enemy ships but the English blasted away at the hulls. The stars and stripes Sim pit inscription and pointing Mark the spot on ship who England s a Rodi a
